(Over in Baghdad by the Bay [this really is a nickname - we looked it up], Lisa digs up a great furniture store in Cole Valley. Comment away.)
Raw wooden furniture always seems to me to be screaming “creative opportunity.” That’s why Stumasa intrigues. A mom and pop neighbored furniture store with a DIY spin, Stumasa custom builds reasonably priced bookcases, cabinets, desks, and tables, and also stocks the finishing materials to make them your own.
Stumasa is a laboratory for the talents of husband and wife proprietors Gregory Stukuls and Maybelle Imasa. Gregory is the designer and carpenter behind the furniture, and Maybelle, an illustrator and calligrapher, curates the accessories on shopping trips to Japan and elsewhere, with an artist’s eye for quirky beauty in everyday objects.
She’s usually on the floor to help you sketch out a piece of furniture or to guide you on the creative possibilities of finishing it yourself. The store is peppered with models that she’s painted to demonstrate 
Yay for Stumasa! This is one of my absolute favorite stores. It's the first place I go when I need a small hostess gift or that perfect bday gift. I love the delicate sea urchin tea lights and great selection of vases.
They used to have the sweetest little dilute tortie cat that lived in her own little "apartment" in the shop--a little niche with a curtain, all decked out with cat toys and a bed. She now lives at home, perhaps tired of the retail life. I can't say enough good things about the proprietors of this nice shop. Even the wrapping is beautiful!
I love this place! I had them build several sets of custom shelves for my tiny apartment, and I couldn't believe how reasonable the prices were. It's also a great place to shop for gifts. I always tell people about this place, but since it's a bit off the beaten path of both the Haight and Cole Valley, I still feel like it's one of those secret places not too many people know about.
I know them! They are the nicest people.
Maybelle used to do be part of the Hello Lucky! team who do fun retro letterpress stuff (invitations, cards, etc.).
I want to have a sideboard/liquor cabinet custom built, but I live in LA. Does anyone know a good shop for this sort of thing?
Wow, everyone loves this store and the owners. It's on my list for when I make it to SF next.
Whoa-ho! Next time I drag myself out of the apartment, I'm taking the measurements for the impossible dollhouse storage unit. (There was a reason I wasn't going to do 1:12 scale -- it's bloody impossible to store multiple houses.)
maybelle and greg are great - and so is their store! great selection of home furnishings, knick-nacks, adorable baby gifts, and much more. i wish they were in the east bay.
I love shopping at Stumasa! Maybelle, Greg and the staff are so helpful. When we first visted the store, my husband and I wanted to buy everthing. Our daughter especially loved the unique educational toys. Stumasa is a must see store.
stumasa is a wonderful shop, with wonderful proprietors. they are crafty and creative and fun and they sell beautiful and useful quality items. there is a lot of love that goes into their business, and it comes home with you.